Ukraine tests robotic systems to lessen soldier presence on frontlines

Bornyakov explained that currently, about 70 soldiers are positioned in trenches along one to two kilometers of the front.

“With the help of unmanned systems, robotic systems for mine-laying, demining, electronic warfare (EW), and other technologies, that number could be reduced to just 30 soldiers,” he said.

Bornyakov also highlighted the rapid growth of Ukraine’s defense tech sector, which is primarily driven by private businesses. At the start of 2022, Ukraine had only three drone manufacturers; today, there are around 700. Two years ago, only seven companies produced electronic warfare systems; now, there are over 120. There are also numerous AI-based developments in demining, according to the deputy minister.

“And there’s hardly a single state-owned company in this sector—not in the Army of Drones, not in the Brave1 cluster, and not in the electronic warfare manufacturing segment. That’s why I urge investors to get involved in this business, and I’m confident that after the war, Ukraine will be a significant player in this market,” he added.

Drone production in Ukraine: Key points

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov stated that in 2023, Ukrainian drone production increased more than 100 times compared to the previous year.

On Dec. 19, 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would produce one million drones for its defense forces in 2024.

On June 30, 2024, the then-CEO of Ukroboronprom, Herman Smetanin, said Ukraine’s military industry had launched mass production of kamikaze drones capable of hitting targets more than 1,000 kilometers away.